Inflation rose to a 42-week high of 7.57 per cent in the 12 months to April 19, higher than the previous week’s annual rise of 7.33 per cent, largely on account of an increase in food, metal products and industrial fuel prices, official data showed. Analysts said that the inflation of 7.57 per cent was “slightly higher” than their expectations and this could be due to price increase in tea and certain items in the steel group. India’s wholesale price index (WPI) based inflation now stood highest since November 13, 2004, when it was 7.68 per cent. Economists expressed confidence that the recent fiscal and monetary measures would yield results in the coming weeks. They, however, noted that inflation was unlikely to return to the comfort zone of the Reserve Bank of India any time this fiscal. “There could be some easing of food inflation given the good wheat production and likelihood of good monsoon. I see some temporary relief on food side. But commodities are tough to predict. The infla...
Comments